Colombia debutant Echenique lives childhood dream

BARRANQUILLA (Colombia) - The promising  Colombia center Jaime Echenique is to play for his national team in the coming days when it competes in the Americas Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup, and in the FIBA Americup.

The 2.11m (6ft 11in) pivot, hailing from a land that doesn't have the richest of traditions in basketball, is currently at a training camp in his hometown of Barranquilla.

Echenique and Colombia will play their first Americas Qualifier game for the World Cup at Mexico  on August 26 in Chihuahua City. They will return to Barranquilla to face the USA on August 30 before turning their attention to the AmeriCup.

"I'm very excited," he said. "As everyone knows it's my first time with Colombia ... It's a childhood dream to represent your country. When you see your idols play with the national team, you want to be a part of that, to don that jersey, play in the top international competitions and to grow as a player."

Echenique, now 25, shot to prominence when leading the I.ED Pestalozzi  (Institucion Educativa Pestalozzi-tecnologia) to four straight regional championships. He was twice named the MVP of the events.

Following high school, Echenique had offers to play professionally in Europe but turned them down and instead, after suiting up for a couple of amateur clubs in Colombia, found his way to the USA and Trinity Valley Community College in Texas.

Echenique averaged 11.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in his second season at Wichita State

He then switched after a couple of seasons to perennial NCAA Tournament school Wichita State in Kansas.

Following the 2020–2021 season, which he did spend in Europe in the Spanish LEB Oro with Acunsa GBC in San Sebastian, Echenique played for the Washington Wizards' summer league team and ended up signing for their affiliate in the G League, the Capital City Go-Go.

The big center played well, signed a 10-day contract with the Wizards during the season and became the first Colombian to play in the NBA. After the expiration of his deal, he returned to Capital City Go-Go to continue his development.

Now he is about to play for his country.

"In the past, it was not possible for me to take part because it clashed (with club commitments)," he said.

"I'm very happy because the camp is in my hometown of Barranquilla, so I can really say I'm playing at home, in front of my people, my family. It's beautiful and absolutely a big motivation. My family hasn't seen me play in a long time because they didn't have a visa to come to the United States. It's a big enough reason for me to push myself more and keep improving to be able to help the national team."

Mexico and the USA will present a significant challenge. The former won four of its six games in the First Round of the Americas Qualifiers while the USA prevailed in five of six.

"Obviously, it's going to be tough," he said. "In the end it's five against five and we will see who brings out their best.

"I'M PLAYING AT HOME, IN FRONT OF MY PEOPLE, MY FAMILY. IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND ABSOLUTELY A BIG MOTIVATION."

Colombia won just two of their First Round games but that was enough to advance. Results carry over from the opening round so Colombia begin the Second Round at the foot of Group F. Even so, the players still hope of making it to the World Cup, which will be played in Indonesia, Japan and Philippines next year.

"Obviously it's a dream," Echenique said. "There's no small or big rival. We all have to compete and give our best. We have to take it one step at a time, be calm and analyze each opponent. Now we have to focus on Mexico and the on the USA. We need to keep adding points."

The biggest aim for Colombia?

"We have to find that collective chemistry to face any rival," he said. "Colombia is growing from a basketball standpoint. My teammates have done a great job so far.

"It's the first time that I join up. Luckily we have good examples in Colombian basketball."

As for what he can offer, he said: "My strength has been my presence in the paint. Everything that I know I can do I have to do it with the national team."

Echenique said of his friends on the team: "I have a very good relationship with Braian (Angola-Rodas), Juan Palacios-Tello, with Hansel (Atencia), they are my brothers."

After the Americas Qualifiers, Colombia will turn their attention to the AmeriCup, where they will play in Group A against Brazil, Uruguay and Canada

"It's a strong group and we are just focusing right now on the international window," Echenique said.

FIBA